flickshttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/taxonomy/term/6998/%252Ffeed
enThe Straight and Narrow with Seth Morrisonhttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/gear/skis/2005/10/the-straight-and-narrow-with-seth-morrison?lnk=rss&loc=flicks
<p>Seth Morrison has a knack for making technical perfection look like an afterthought. The star of more than 20 ski flicks-including films by Warren Miller, Poor Boyz, and Matchstick Productions-he's currently working with Brad Holmes on <i>Stars, Skis, and Hucks</i>, out this month. Click the slideshow below to see Seth Morrison straightlining it, each step of the way (and make sure to GO HUGE by clicking on the image!).
</p><p>STEP 1: VISUALIZE THE PRIZE<br />Never go into a straightline without knowing what's lurking below you (trees, rocks, skiers). Ski in from the top and check your speed, watching for rocks on the inrun. Once you have a clean line of sight, visualize where you'll turn into the line and where your straight run will end.<br /><br />STEP 2: POP AND POINT<br />Line up, focus down the chute, and be confident. Stay on top of your skis, and push your hands and shoulders down the fall line, ready to react to whatever comes at you. Then point 'em and let 'em run.<br /><br />STEP 3: LOCK IN YOUR COORDINATES<br />Speed increases in the middle of a straight-line and you can't scrub it off by turning. You must commit to your line from start to finish. You're hauling ass now, so if you're going to jump any cliffs (like the small one in the middle of my line), make sure you have your trajectory dialed-especially if your runout is in the trees.<br /><br />STEP 4: STOMP OR STUMBLE<br />Now that you're airborne, keep your knees tucked and your eyes on your landing. As you approach it, extend your legs and prepare to absorb the energy. Stomping is the only option here. If you bail, it's probably over for the day.<br /><br />STEP 5: CHECK YOUR SPEED<br />Still looking ahead (those trees are getting closer...), bang a sharp turn with lots of edge power for a quick speed scrub.<br /><br />QUICKTIP:Speed and confidence are your friends. Doubt yourself, and you'll probably tumble.<br /><br />SEPTEMBER 2005</p>
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/gear/skis/2005/10/the-straight-and-narrow-with-seth-morrison#commentschutesflickshucksmatchstick productionsseth morrisonskiersskiswarren millerSkisskiing12416http://www.skinet.com/skiing/files/skinetimages/skiing/content/images/2005/sept05/skg905gsat.jpg52674Get Schooled: The Straight and Narrowhttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/Be Strong<p>Seth Morrison has a knack for making technical perfection look like an afterthought. The star of more than 20 ski flicks-including films by Warren Miller, Poor Boyz, and Matchstick Productions-he's currently working with Brad Holmes on <i>Stars, Skis, and Hucks</i>, out this month. Click the slideshow below to see Seth Morrison straightlining it, each step of the way (and make sure to GO HUGE by clicking on the image!).
</p><p>STEP 1: VISUALIZE THE PRIZE<br />Never go into a straightline without knowing what's lurking below you (trees, rocks, skiers). Ski in from the top and check your speed, watching for rocks on the inrun. Once you have a clean line of sight, visualize where you'll turn into the line and where your straight run will end.<br /><br />STEP 2: POP AND POINT<br />Line up, focus down the chute, and be confident. Stay on top of your skis, and push your hands and shoulders down the fall line, ready to react to whatever comes at you. Then point 'em and let 'em run.<br /><br />STEP 3: LOCK IN YOUR COORDINATES<br />Speed increases in the middle of a straight-line and you can't scrub it off by turning. You must commit to your line from start to finish. You're hauling ass now, so if you're going to jump any cliffs (like the small one in the middle of my line), make sure you have your trajectory dialed-especially if your runout is in the trees.<br /><br />STEP 4: STOMP OR STUMBLE<br />Now that you're airborne, keep your knees tucked and your eyes on your landing. As you approach it, extend your legs and prepare to absorb the energy. Stomping is the only option here. If you bail, it's probably over for the day.<br /><br />STEP 5: CHECK YOUR SPEED<br />Still looking ahead (those trees are getting closer...), bang a sharp turn with lots of edge power for a quick speed scrub.<br /><br />QUICKTIP:Speed and confidence are your friends. Doubt yourself, and you'll probably tumble.<br /><br />SEPTEMBER 2005</p>
articleThu, 27 Oct 2005 09:15:00 +0000SkiNet Editor12416 at http://www.skinet.com/skiingHow To Drive a Snowcat: Getting Startedhttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/snowcat/2005/09/how-to-drive-a-snowcat-getting-started?lnk=rss&loc=flicks
<p><b>> Turn the ignition key. </b> <BR /><BR /><b>>Check the blades. </b> The tiller control-which moves the giant grooming blade at the back of the machine-is powered by two hydraulic engines. Another hydraulic engine moves the front blade in 12 different directions (2). Blademan tests them all.<BR /><BR /><b>>Get in gear (1). </b> To select forward or reverse gears, the driver flicks a switch. A nearby thumbwheel serves as the throttle. There is no gas pedal.<BR /><BR />MARCH/APRIL 2005</p><P></p><P></p>
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/snowcat/2005/09/how-to-drive-a-snowcat-getting-started#commentsapril 2005bladeflicksgearssnowcatskiing8484http://www.skinet.com/skiing/http://www.skinet.com/skiing/Fall Line<p><b>> Turn the ignition key. </b> <BR /><BR /><b>>Check the blades. </b> The tiller control-which moves the giant grooming blade at the back of the machine-is powered by two hydraulic engines. Another hydraulic engine moves the front blade in 12 different directions (2). Blademan tests them all.<BR /><BR /><b>>Get in gear (1). </b> To select forward or reverse gears, the driver flicks a switch. A nearby thumbwheel serves as the throttle. There is no gas pedal.<BR /><BR />MARCH/APRIL 2005</p><P></p><P></p>
articleFri, 23 Sep 2005 09:05:00 +0000SkiNet Editor8484 at http://www.skinet.com/skiingWanted: Camerashttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/dcr-dvd301/2005/06/wanted-cameras?lnk=rss&loc=flicks
<p> <b>Nikon D70 Outfit</b>$1,300 with 18-70mm lens; nikonusa.com
</p><p>Looking to create a magazine-worthy morph sequence of your buddy's big line? The 6.1-megapixel D70 has a continuous shooting mode that lets you grab three frames per second for up to 144 pictures - with no irritating buffer stall.
</p><p> <b>Pentax Optio X </b>$449; pentaximaging.com
</p><p> The 5-megapixel Optio X's two-inch, high-resolution monitor spins independently of the camera body and lens - so you won't have to perform ski-boot yoga to set up for the perfect shot.
</p><p><b>Canon Digital Rebel EOS</b>$999 with18-55mm lens; usa.canon.com
</p><p> Because it's so fast (up to a 1/4000 shutter speed) and will accept almost any Canon SLR lens, the 6.3-megapixel Rebel is the camera of choice for many aspiring ski photographers.
</p><p> <b>Sony DCR-DVD301 HANDYCAM</b> $1,000; sonystyle.com
</p><p> Thanks to a 3.5-inch swivel screen, this digital camcorder can quickly locate skiers on a big, rock-speckled face. It records directly onto mini-DVD's, so you can showcase your personal indie ski flicks by sundown.
</p><p><b> Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z50 </b>$349; casio.com
</p><p> This ultraslim, 5-megapixel beauty can take up to 390 shots on a single charge, making it the most backcountry-friendly camera on our list.
</p><p>
</p>http://www.skinet.com/skiing/dcr-dvd301/2005/06/wanted-cameras#commentsflicksshutter speedski bootsskiersskiing12218http://www.skinet.com/skiing/http://www.skinet.com/skiing/Outfitter<p> <b>Nikon D70 Outfit</b>$1,300 with 18-70mm lens; nikonusa.com
</p><p>Looking to create a magazine-worthy morph sequence of your buddy's big line? The 6.1-megapixel D70 has a continuous shooting mode that lets you grab three frames per second for up to 144 pictures - with no irritating buffer stall.
</p><p> <b>Pentax Optio X </b>$449; pentaximaging.com
</p><p> The 5-megapixel Optio X's two-inch, high-resolution monitor spins independently of the camera body and lens - so you won't have to perform ski-boot yoga to set up for the perfect shot.
</p><p><b>Canon Digital Rebel EOS</b>$999 with18-55mm lens; usa.canon.com
</p><p> Because it's so fast (up to a 1/4000 shutter speed) and will accept almost any Canon SLR lens, the 6.3-megapixel Rebel is the camera of choice for many aspiring ski photographers.
</p><p> <b>Sony DCR-DVD301 HANDYCAM</b> $1,000; sonystyle.com
</p><p> Thanks to a 3.5-inch swivel screen, this digital camcorder can quickly locate skiers on a big, rock-speckled face. It records directly onto mini-DVD's, so you can showcase your personal indie ski flicks by sundown.
</p><p><b> Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z50 </b>$349; casio.com
</p><p> This ultraslim, 5-megapixel beauty can take up to 390 shots on a single charge, making it the most backcountry-friendly camera on our list.
</p><p>
</p>articleThu, 16 Jun 2005 09:05:00 +0000SkiNet Editor12218 at http://www.skinet.com/skiingVideo Fixhttp://www.skinet.com/skiing/matchstick-productions/2001/01/video-fix?lnk=rss&loc=flicks
<hr width=99% /> We review this year's crop of ski flicks, not that they could compare to <i>Better Off Dead.</i><br />
<hr width=99% /><P>Before I go spouting my opinions about this year's crop of ski flicks, I need to set a reference point. The greatest ski movie of all time was 1985's less-than-smash hit <i>Better Off Dead,</i>starring John Cusack. And here's why: For starters, it had a plot -- something about paper routes, popularity, and a wannabe drug addict named Charles Dumar. But more important, it elevated skiing to a philosophical and, one might say, spiritual plane. In it, a single ski run (the K-12) became a metaphor for life, letting us all in on a big secret to conquering any struggle we might ever encounter: "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way...turn."</p><P>While none of this year's flicks approach <i>Better Off Dead's</i>lofty standards, they sure as hell do get you psyched to ski. And that's got to be good for something.</p><P><b><br />SKI MOVIE</b><br />This movie oozes cool from the get-go. It has the slickest opening to a ski flick I've ever seen; and though you'd think it would be hard to keep a plotless ski movie interesting after such a spectacular start, <i>Ski Movie</i>had me pulling mental back flips the entire time. A word of caution: This movie is not for discriminating ears -- I'm guessing that whoever decided putting skiers behind the mike would be a good idea is also behind boy bands.</p><P><b>Matchstick Productions<br />$27/970-349-0860/www.mspfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT McCONKEY</b><br />A tribute to the granddaddy of fat-skied freeskiing, <i>There's Something About McConkey</i>is the best ski film of this bunch for the singular reason that, like Shane McConkey himself, it doesn't take itself seriously. McConkey is the John Holmes of ski porn, the king of gnarly self-sacrifice, the god of goofy alter egos (like Saucer Boy), and the guy at the party everyone is keeping an eye on, expecting him to do something entertaining. He always delivers.</p><P><b>Matchstick Productions<br />$20/970-349-0860/www.mspfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>TEE-TIME</b><br />The folks at Wind-Up Films surprise us every year with their style -- something you could almost call artsy. An unpretentious flick with a kicking indie-band soundtrack, <i>Tee-Time</i>uses odd camera angles and a mix of film types to blend together today's new schoolers, yesterday's hotdoggers, and weird travel scenes from around the world in a way that leaves you feeling nothing but good. In other words, it's different, which is probably why we like it so much.</p><P><b>Wind-Up Films<br />$20/www.windupfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>THE GAME</b><br />It was a cool idea: Turn the editing room over to a bunch of ski stars and let them create their own segments, then have the fans vote on who rocked hardest. But some skiers got longer segments than others, and almost everyone had footage from the same locations, so everyone looks the same. Bottom line: All these skiers rip; the only way to make a choice is to pick whoever plays the best music. Shane Szocs won it for me. </p><P><b>Poor Boyz Productions<br />$30/888-849-6787/www.poorboyz.com</b></p><P><br /><b>PARENTAL ADVISORY 1</b><br />Take the Wu-Tang Clan, put them in charge of Maxim magazine, give them a sports-film division, add 30 gallons of whiskey, stir, and you might come up with <i>Parental Advisory 1.</i>The film was dedicated to late, great Whistler skier Brett Carlson, but I couldn't help feeling that the dedication was misdirected. Impressive skiing, but the transitional sequences (skiers getting wasted and throwing gang signs; a nasty, Darth Vader-looking, cop-killing cartoon) get old fast.</p><P><b>Heavy Hitting Films<br />$30/www.heavyhitting.com</b></p><P><b><br />FURTHER</b><br />The kings of big-mountain freeskiing footie dish out another healthy serving of daydream fodder. While most ski flicks are dealing more and more in reality -- people ripping it up at their local terrain parks -- TGR makes you want to quit your ski-bum llifestyle and start making some greenbacks so that someday you, too, can trade in your twin tips for a pair of fatties and taste the deep, heli-access-only Alaskan powder that this film serves up in mouthwatering doses. </p><P><b>Teton Gravity Research<br />$30/307-734-8192/www.tetongravity.com</b></p><P><br />
<hr width=99% /></p><P><b>BETTER THAN <i>BETTER OFF DEAD?</i></b><br />If you prefer movies with plots, check out <i>Scrapple.</i>The story of Al Dean, a 'froed-out small-time drug dealer with dreams of buying a house in the mythical '70s ski town of Ajax, Colorado, <i>Scrapple,</i>released in 1998, has quickly and rightfully earned its place as a ski-country cult classic.</p><P>The plot thickens when Al's best friend, Tom, rolls back into town to come to grips with his past. And then there's Scrapple, the fatalistic pig that escapes a luau-style execution and rides off a hero. Although not exactly a ski film, <i>Scrapple</i>gets to the heart of why we aspire to brush aside capitalistic good sense and become ski bums. The killer soundtrack features original music by Taj Mahal. </p><P><b>Sweetwater Productions<br />$20/www.scrapplemovie.com</b></p>
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<a href="/skiing/metallica-drummer/2001/01/i-want-my-mp3">I Want My MP3</a> </div>
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http://www.skinet.com/skiing/matchstick-productions/2001/01/video-fix#commentsflickflicksfreeskiinggranddaddymatchstick productionsskiersskiing12906http://www.skinet.com/skiing/files/skinetimages/mtnpub/content/images/old/standard/01/02/skg0101SCkM.jpg45722ski movie
Ski Movie
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/Vibe<hr width=99% /> We review this year's crop of ski flicks, not that they could compare to <i>Better Off Dead.</i><br />
<hr width=99% /><P>Before I go spouting my opinions about this year's crop of ski flicks, I need to set a reference point. The greatest ski movie of all time was 1985's less-than-smash hit <i>Better Off Dead,</i>starring John Cusack. And here's why: For starters, it had a plot -- something about paper routes, popularity, and a wannabe drug addict named Charles Dumar. But more important, it elevated skiing to a philosophical and, one might say, spiritual plane. In it, a single ski run (the K-12) became a metaphor for life, letting us all in on a big secret to conquering any struggle we might ever encounter: "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way...turn."</p><P>While none of this year's flicks approach <i>Better Off Dead's</i>lofty standards, they sure as hell do get you psyched to ski. And that's got to be good for something.</p><P><b><br />SKI MOVIE</b><br />This movie oozes cool from the get-go. It has the slickest opening to a ski flick I've ever seen; and though you'd think it would be hard to keep a plotless ski movie interesting after such a spectacular start, <i>Ski Movie</i>had me pulling mental back flips the entire time. A word of caution: This movie is not for discriminating ears -- I'm guessing that whoever decided putting skiers behind the mike would be a good idea is also behind boy bands.</p><P><b>Matchstick Productions<br />$27/970-349-0860/www.mspfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT McCONKEY</b><br />A tribute to the granddaddy of fat-skied freeskiing, <i>There's Something About McConkey</i>is the best ski film of this bunch for the singular reason that, like Shane McConkey himself, it doesn't take itself seriously. McConkey is the John Holmes of ski porn, the king of gnarly self-sacrifice, the god of goofy alter egos (like Saucer Boy), and the guy at the party everyone is keeping an eye on, expecting him to do something entertaining. He always delivers.</p><P><b>Matchstick Productions<br />$20/970-349-0860/www.mspfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>TEE-TIME</b><br />The folks at Wind-Up Films surprise us every year with their style -- something you could almost call artsy. An unpretentious flick with a kicking indie-band soundtrack, <i>Tee-Time</i>uses odd camera angles and a mix of film types to blend together today's new schoolers, yesterday's hotdoggers, and weird travel scenes from around the world in a way that leaves you feeling nothing but good. In other words, it's different, which is probably why we like it so much.</p><P><b>Wind-Up Films<br />$20/www.windupfilms.com</b></p><P><br /><b>THE GAME</b><br />It was a cool idea: Turn the editing room over to a bunch of ski stars and let them create their own segments, then have the fans vote on who rocked hardest. But some skiers got longer segments than others, and almost everyone had footage from the same locations, so everyone looks the same. Bottom line: All these skiers rip; the only way to make a choice is to pick whoever plays the best music. Shane Szocs won it for me. </p><P><b>Poor Boyz Productions<br />$30/888-849-6787/www.poorboyz.com</b></p><P><br /><b>PARENTAL ADVISORY 1</b><br />Take the Wu-Tang Clan, put them in charge of Maxim magazine, give them a sports-film division, add 30 gallons of whiskey, stir, and you might come up with <i>Parental Advisory 1.</i>The film was dedicated to late, great Whistler skier Brett Carlson, but I couldn't help feeling that the dedication was misdirected. Impressive skiing, but the transitional sequences (skiers getting wasted and throwing gang signs; a nasty, Darth Vader-looking, cop-killing cartoon) get old fast.</p><P><b>Heavy Hitting Films<br />$30/www.heavyhitting.com</b></p><P><b><br />FURTHER</b><br />The kings of big-mountain freeskiing footie dish out another healthy serving of daydream fodder. While most ski flicks are dealing more and more in reality -- people ripping it up at their local terrain parks -- TGR makes you want to quit your ski-bum llifestyle and start making some greenbacks so that someday you, too, can trade in your twin tips for a pair of fatties and taste the deep, heli-access-only Alaskan powder that this film serves up in mouthwatering doses. </p><P><b>Teton Gravity Research<br />$30/307-734-8192/www.tetongravity.com</b></p><P><br />
<hr width=99% /></p><P><b>BETTER THAN <i>BETTER OFF DEAD?</i></b><br />If you prefer movies with plots, check out <i>Scrapple.</i>The story of Al Dean, a 'froed-out small-time drug dealer with dreams of buying a house in the mythical '70s ski town of Ajax, Colorado, <i>Scrapple,</i>released in 1998, has quickly and rightfully earned its place as a ski-country cult classic.</p><P>The plot thickens when Al's best friend, Tom, rolls back into town to come to grips with his past. And then there's Scrapple, the fatalistic pig that escapes a luau-style execution and rides off a hero. Although not exactly a ski film, <i>Scrapple</i>gets to the heart of why we aspire to brush aside capitalistic good sense and become ski bums. The killer soundtrack features original music by Taj Mahal. </p><P><b>Sweetwater Productions<br />$20/www.scrapplemovie.com</b></p>
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<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/skiing/metallica-drummer/2001/01/i-want-my-mp3">I Want My MP3</a> </div>
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articleSat, 13 Jan 2001 19:10:00 +0000SkiNet Editor12906 at http://www.skinet.com/skiing